Mon 11/20/2023 6:47 AM
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) NOV 18, 2023 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty-five members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
breakfast meeting chaired by President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, at
Brantley’s Village Restaurant.
* Bruce introduced Eric Kindle, Oriental Fire Chief and a full-time
Paramedic, who told us what to do if confronted with a person
experiencing a heart attack: perform CPR, call 911 and, if available,
use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore heart rhythm to
normal. AED’s are now in many public places including most Oriental
restaurants. Time is critical, seconds vital. Eric talked us through the
process and showed us how to do hands-only CPR and how to connect the
victim to an AED device, then, following the voice prompts, deliver the
electric shock to stabilize the heartbeat. The members gave Eric their
full attention to his most instructive–possibly life saving–presentation.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: Without detailing the numbers and reports
of low solar activity, Jim advised this is the time to chase Dx as we
near the top of Cycle 25. The forecast might be for low solar activity
but Dx is out there and workable–“look out the window”. Current
DXpeditions: Trindade & Martim Vaz PR0T to 11/19, Christmas Isl VK9XY to
11/27, Laos XW4DX to 11/27, Chatham Isl ZL7A to 11/22 plus Timor-Leste
4W8X to 12/5 and Wallis-Futuna Isl 20-30 Nov.
* ARES/PCN. Mike Marsh, K4NLC, advised he’s stepping away from being
the “full-time” controller starting in January in favor of rotating net
controllers. Emergencies are not planned and the net should be activated
by the first one on frequency. A cadre of net control operators will be
needed for successful extended operation.
* Paul, K4MMB reported that more and more visitors to the N4PRS Web
pages appear to be “bonafide”. For the past month, 176 visits.
* The Pamlico Communications Team meets on the first Saturday monthly
at Station 19 . The next meeting will be on the 2nd of December at
Station 19. Lor will lead a seminar on Radio Frequency Interference
(RFI) All are welcome.
* Wally has mailed member renewal forms for 2023. Bruce advised PARS
will no longer collect and submit ARRL dues given the complications with
the change in ARRL billing and the limited return for the effort. PARS
still supports membership in the ARRL and benefits from being a ARRL
affiliated club. There is no change in PARS dues.
* From the Oriental Repeater Group (ORG)–
Lor Kutchins W3QA, reported the bad component(s) in the Kershaw
controller board are en-route and will be replaced ASAP. Once the
Oriental VHF is operational, the Arapahoe FM service will be turned down
and the repeater activated on the NC4ES EHPC DMR Network. (From the
Arlington Place location, NC4ES network coverage will then include not
only Pamlico but also Carteret and portions of Craven county. With
improvements to Columbia, Farmville, Kinston, and Roanoke Rapids
repeaters now complete, the network will cover most of Eastern North
Carolina. It will also provide connectivity with other DMR and FM
networks.) All amateurs are welcome to use the NC4ES network.
Connectivity with AllStarLink [see AllStarLink.org] is planned for the
Oriental VHF FM repeater.
The urgently needed Kershaw hardline re-attachment and clip replacement
[discussed at the October meeting] will cost more than expected. A
change in tower climbing company is necessary. Other less essential
tower work will be delayed.
* The higher Kershaw hardline re-attachment cost impacting the ORG led
to a general discussion related to both ORG and club funding. [They are
separate organizations and funds are separate.] Several high value
amplifiers have been donated to the club. Before offering them for sale,
one or more need repair. Bruce asked Bill Olah and Bill Michne to assess
them and recommend actions needed.
* The NEXT PARS MEETING will be on Saturday, December 30th, with our
annual holiday gift exchange following a short business meeting.
* Phyllis Schrader had the winning number for a PARS coaster, Dennis
Chase won the Brantley’s gift certificate, and Steve KO4EDA, a 2024 ARRL
Calendar.
* There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:50 am.
MUSINGS
– By Bill Schrader K2TNO:
Some of you old geezers like me will recall Don Wallace, W6AM. He and
W1FH were #1/#2 on the DXCC Honor Roll for years and years…
He had bought the old Press Wireless site in Southern California when
they closed. It was 120 acres, and sat on a peninsula now called “Palos
Verdes Estates, CA.” [Look it up on Google Earth…]. It came with nine
bi-directional terminated rhombics that could be selected, giving him a
separate rhombic pointed every 20 degrees!*
*BTW: When I was a kid we lived on the south shore of Long Island, NY.
Down at the end of our street was a narrow salt water bay. Across the
bay was a slew of huge wooden masts, held up by guy wires interrupted at
intervals by dark blobs that [I know now] were egg-insulators breaking
up the guys. It, too, I learned from my Dad [K2GT, SK], was a Press
Wireless station! It’s no doubt long gone, turned into suburban
condos…DANG!… I wish I could’ve made more income from my paper route
so I could have bought that QTH! Alas…But I digress:
In 1984 PBS did a 90-minute TV interview with W6AM. Here is a
re-posting 40 years after it aired in 1984:
Partway through the interview he shows them around outdoors, and points
out all the additional hams who lived around his perimeter, bolstered by
the fact that he’d already made antenna farms acceptable to the Town
Fathers!
I don’t recall ever working him– because he was strictly a DXer. Unlike
Katasi Nose, KH6IJ [SK] and a few of the other stars from yesteryear–
who was in every SS and DX contest–CW only, and man was he QRQ!
Enjoy— this guy was one of the greats!
73,
Bill K2TNO
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low today through Wednesday. There is a
chance for M-class flares each day. There are 3 numbered sunspot regions
on the Sun are facing Earth this morning. There were 5 last Monday, 5
the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 140.
Last Sunday’s was 137. The index is predicted to measure 140 today, 145
Tuesday and 145 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was 146
yesterday. It was 148 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet Sunday. The SWPC expects the field to
reach minor storm levels (G1) today, quiet to unsettled Tuesday and then
back to quiet to active Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 4 am this
morning was 2 indicating quiet conditions.
Today and tomorrow, propagation is expected to be good on the 80 through
40 meter bands during the day, fair at night. Good conditions during
both day and night are expected for the 30, 20, 17 and 15 meter bands.
Ten and 12 propagation is predicted to be fair day, poor at night.
For an explanation of the numbers used in our PARSgram, see the
excellent article written by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA at
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.
DX TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARLD046 DX news:
–TIMOR-LESTE, 4W. A large group of operators are QRV as 4W8X
from Dili to December 5. Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB,
RTTY, FT8, and FT4.
–CHRISTMAS ISLAND, VK9X. Yuris, YL2GM and Eugene, EA5EL are QRV as
VK9XY until November 27. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW,
SSB, and FT8.
–LAOS, XW. A group of operators are QRV as XW4DX from Vientiane
until November 27. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters, except 80, 60,
and 30 meters, using CW, SSB, and FT8 with five stations.
–CHATHAM ISLANDS, ZL7. A group of operators are QRV as ZL7A until
November 22. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, FT8, and
FT4.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items that are for sale, trade, or
wanted and your contact information. PLEASE let me know when you have
have sold your item or your listing is no longer needed. Listings will
EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
–FOR SALE: K8AY low band receive antenna for 160-40m, just in time
for the fall/winter low band DX season. $110. Price includes a four
direction control box (N-E-S-W), exterior weatherproof direction
switching relay box w/connector, two 85’ wire loop elements (#18
insulated stranded Cu clad), insulators, installation instructions and
schematic diagram. It requires a single 25’ support such as a pole or
tree limb, and about 18’ radius for the loops. It’s ready to install,
good condition and fully checked out. Just add your own RG-59 feedline
and Cat 5 control cable. Dick Goodwin K4JJW rgoodwin41@suddenlink.net
252-633-7873 (20231113)
–FOR SALE ICOM IC-735 HF Transceiver. Used. Working. Missing the
plastic cover over the slider controls. $225. Contact Jan, KK4LSQ,
252-239-3953 or kk4lsq.onc@gmail.com (20231016)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Dec 2, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. All are welcome. For
more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Dec 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING and Holiday Gift Exchange, Saturday, 9am,
Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce
Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
REPEATER/NODE STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC (“Above Average”) VHF FM Oriental — Down for repair.
N4ONC (old KR4LO) UHF FM Oriental — Operational. Please ID.
NC4ES VHF FM/DMR Arapahoe — Operational
NC4ES UHF DMR Florence — Operational
WM3X-ONC VHF C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530 simplex)– Operational
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Pamlico 10 Meter Net, 7:30 pm local, on or near 28.464 MHz,
USB. A non-directed net open to technicians and above. Radio
topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) VHF Repeater, 147.210+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5). A directed
net open to all. Net activates on call during emergencies. Net meets on
the Arapahoe repeater 147.285+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5) while N4ONC VHF
is under repair.
* Thursdays, “DownEast/Pamlico Six Meter Net”, 8 pm local, 50.200 MHz,
USB. A non-directed open net to promote operation on the ‘Magic Band’.
(For more nets see www.arrl.org/arrl-net-directory-search )
PARS WEB SITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, 561-308-3456, PARSwebman@gmail.com
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
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